By TEAGAN STURMER

Special to the Journal

Come experience Wonka Mania! this weekend down at Superior Arts Youth Theatre’s production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!” Led by a cast of incredible local youth actors, this show will have you bursting at the seams, reaching for a tissue, and rediscovering your love for pure imagination.

It is a tale we all know and love. When young and imaginative Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory, he finds himself given a chance at winning a lifetime’s supply of sugary sweets and chocolate that have been otherwise unaffordable for the impoverished Bucket family.

Charlie and his Grandpa Joe, along with other winners — Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Mike Teavee, and Violet Beauregarde — are swept away to the seemingly magical factory. Once inside, the contestants are met with a world of color, amazement, confectionary inventions, and, of course, loveable and mischievous Oompa-Loompas. But as the children quickly let their greed and self-serving natures get the better of them, the magic that Willy Wonka seems to offer begins to lose its luster. Watching his fellow contestants be sucked up chocolate tubes, turned into giant blueberries, shrunken down to fit inside a television screen, and torn apart by discerning squirrels,

Charlie is the last child standing. His humility and kind nature have not gone unnoticed by Willy Wonka, and Charlie finds himself walking away with a prize even greater than a lifetime’s supply of candy.

The show opens with Mr. Willy Wonka himself, brought to life with an extraordinarily rich and powerful performance by Jack Bishop. Not only does Bishop capture the mystery of enigmatic Wonka, his comedic timing is sheer perfection, throwing out countless one-liners that will be sure to have you in stitches. This young actor commands the stage.

Desmond Baker quickly arrives on scene as the loveable and heart-warming Charlie Bucket. With ease, Baker melts into his character, portraying the wit and child-like imagination that I think we all need a little bit of in our lives. He is energetic and a delight to watch as he runs about the stage worshipping the inventiveness of his own hero, Willy Wonka!

Mrs. Bucket, played by the lovely Raina Doughty will have you in tears with her rendition of “A Letter from Charlie Bucket.” Her soft and warm voice lends perfectly to the role of a mother who just wants what is best for her son and will do whatever it takes to help him along his way (yes, even if that means making him do his math homework). Tucked in bed at the Bucket family home are the grandparents: Grandpa Joe, played by Jonah Hardenbergh, Grandma Josephine, played by Beatrix Zeleznik, Grandpa George, played by Nate Wood, and Grandma Georgina, played by Saturn Portale. These four will have you absolutely cracking up with laughter. Their own comedic timing, witty jabs (usually at each other), and the often misplacement of dentures are evidence of well-rounded character work. Bravo! A stand-out to mention is Hardenbergh as the loveable and heroic Grandpa Joe. He doesn’t just play Grandpa Joe, he is Grandpa Joe. And it’s a treat.

As more tickets are found, we are introduced to the other contestants and their parents. First upon the stage are Augustus Gloop and his mother, Mrs. Gloop. Played by Ethan Jennings and Carly Palomaki, this pair is an absolute riot. My ribs hurt from laughing as Palomaki belted out “More of Him To Love” and Jennings grinned as he sang about finishing off 50 chocolate bars just to find his ticket. Truly, these two commanded the stage with their comedic acting, hilarious facial expressions, and stunning vocals. Well done!

Next, we are introduced to Mr. Salt and his rather selfish and spoiled ballerina daughter, Veruca. Avonlea Kuhlman once again reminds us that she is one of the most talented youth actors in the area as she twirls about the stage demanding her own, personal squirrel and getting very angry when her father, played masterfully with incredible vocals by Sevi Voigt, tries to tell her no…(spoiler alert, it doesn’t work).

What Vercua says, goes, until … well… it doesn’t.

Floating in on a burst of pink bubblegum, Violet Beauregarde reminds us all of why she is known as the Queen of Pop. Reya Ghiardi nails this role with the perfect amount of sass and some of the most powerful vocals I have heard (I mean, my goodness, these kids can SING!). Joined by her father, a role held in the capable hands of Hyde Whitney, Violet soon finds herself in a rather…sticky situation. Really, this pair of actors not only triumph in their physical comedic acting, but will no doubt stun you with their singing voices. The amount of talent we have in this area is just incredible.

Last, but definitely not least, is contestant Mike Teavee played by Anton Voigt. Voigt brings a kind of endearing attitude to the stage with plenty of eye rolls and dragging feet as his mother, brought to life by Tiffany Ridolphi, pulls him around the stage as he complains about not having a signal for his phone and finding the tour to be boring. But let me tell you, the acting and vocal work of these two young actors is anything but boring. Super talented kids.

And of course, how can one watch a production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and not mention the Oompa-Loompas? Appearing on scene only after disaster has struck, this ensemble of adorable and hilarious mischief-makers is sure to warm your heart. Even if someone is getting sucked up into a chocolate tube or being devoured by squirrels.

The show is directed by Jalina McClain, with music direction by Caitlin Palomaki, choreography by Skylar Taavola, and stage management by Emily Kendall. Truly a team of powerhouses who have worked so hard to put on such a larger-than-life production of a well-loved story. With colorful costumes designed by Suzanne Shahbazi, hair by Nicole Bullock, and make-up by Sophia Zerbst, the magical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory is conjured. A darling, engaging set designed by Kate Karling is brought to life through the lighting design of Kim Hegmegee and sound by Dan Zini. Oh, and did I mention there is a live pit band conducted by Matt Mitchell and actual flight performance designed by Kim Hegmegee? Ah, the magic of live theatre.

All in all, this is a story about letting your imagination take you places only it can dream of. It just takes that first little step and there is no telling what you can achieve. Yes, even if you are a 90 year-old Grandpa Joe!! No matter the age or the circumstance, there is magic to be found.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” runs this weekend: at 7 p.m. today and Saturday; and 1 p.m. Saturday (theatre for all performance) and Sunday.

Editor’s note: Teagan Sturmer is a local actor, director and author.